HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002_05_28
Council Work Session
May 28, 2002
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:00 p.m. Mayor Webb presiding.
Councilmembers Present: Mervin Jackson, Leonard McDonald, David Schmidt, Kristen
Umstattd, Robert Zoldos and Mayor Webb.
Councilmembers Absent: George Atwell
Staff Members Present: Town Manager Bob Noe, Town Attorney William Donnelly,
Deputy Town Manager Phil Rodenberg, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom
Mason, Airport Director Doug McNeely, Chief of Comprehensive Planning Randy Hodgson,
Planner Nancy Kitchens, Tourism Coordinator Marantha Edwards, Management Intern Larry
DiRe, Management Intern Adam Brown, and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Agenda for Council Meeting of May 29, 2002
a. Supporting the Northern Virginia Sales Tax Referendum
Phil Rodenberg discussed the proposed resolution in support of the Virginia Sales
Tax Referendum. He stated the referendum would include $100 million in
improvements for Route 7.
Councilmember Schmidt asked that the referendum be strengthened to include a
statement saying that sales tax would not apply to food items and 100 percent of the
revenues will be used for Northern Virginia regional transportation projects.
There was discussion as to when the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority
Board would make a decision and the possibility of Leesburg getting funds.
Mayor Webb added that Loudoun County is also supporting this referendum.
b. Requesting the Virginia Department of Transportation to re- establish
the Route 7/15 bypass widening project and maintain Battlefield
Parkway project construction schedule in the Virginia Transportation
Development Plan for fiscal years 2002-2003 through 2007-2008.
Phil Rodenberg discussed a recommendation requesting VDOT to support the
continuation of the original projects.
Mr. Rodenberg recommended that staff and elected officials attend the Final
Commonwealth Transportation Board public hearing on June 5, 2002 to make its
case for re-establishing the projects.
c. Authorizing the payment to Troutman, Sanders, Mays and Valentine, the
annexation special counsel, in the amount of $152,081.61 for annexation
services and making an appropriation of funds.
Phil Rodenberg presented a recommendation to authorize a payment to the
annexation special legal counsel for the annexation filing, hearing preparation, and
related activities to date.
He added that $52,000 is being paid from existing funds. The remaining would
be split between the year-end General Fund and Utilities Fund balances.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for May 28. 2002
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Councilmember Schmidt verified that the original budgeted amount for legal fees
was $205,795.
Bob Noe added the Town has encountered expenses they did not anticipate.
2. Loudoun Museum lease renewal and extension
Larry DiRe discussed the proposed lease agreement with Loudoun Museum. He
asked if it would be the desire of Council to include the partnering language in the lease?
Doug Foard and Art Richmond were present on behalf the Loudoun Museum.
Councilmember Zoldos stated he would like to see the partnering language in a
memorandum of understanding.
Mr. Richmond expressed concern with having a lease agreement that would hinder
their fundraising. Further he had concerns with the terms on accreditation and their lack of
control over some aspects of the process.
Mayor Webb encouraged revised language to address the accreditation issues.
Bill Donnelly discussed the termination provision of the lease. He stated the Town
desires to retain flexibility in the lease by retaining the GO-day termination notice.
Karen Jones addressed Council stating the difficulties in raising funds on a GO-day
lease and asked the Town to make a long-term commitment to support the museum.
Councilmember McDonald stated he is in favor of a long-term lease with an
extended termination period.
Mr. Foard stated that time is of the essence since they have to hire someone for
fundraising.
Mayor Webb asked that the museum, new council members and the town attorney
work to fine tune the lease language.
3. Northern Virginia Regional Commission - Downtown Charrette
4. Downtown business development strategy/downtown consultant/
rejection of bids
Bob Noe introduced Mark Gibb, Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Regional
Commission.
Mr. Gibb discussed the possibility of conducting a charrette on the downtown
Leesburg and explained the charrette process. He stated the approximate cost would be
$25,000, which usually comes from outside contributions.
He provided a video of a recent charrette, which took place in Herndon, Virginia.
Mr. Gibb stated that Council would implement plans agreed upon during this
process. He further stated that a charrette is unique from other studies as it gives the
opportunity to learn a lot about your Town.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for May 28. 2002
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Marantha Edwards added this is an exciting prospect and has similar elements
proposed by the downtown consultant.
Councilmember Jackson commented the Board of Architectural Review should be
involved.
Councilmember Zoldos stated he would like to proceed with interviewing MCA and
postpone retaining a consultant until after the conclusion of the charrette.
Councilmember Schmidt said he likes the idea of a charrette and would like to see a
coordinated effort with the downtown business plan.
Bill Donnelly stated the issue of the new company being formed by the selected
company for a Downtown Business Development Strategy consultant has been resolved. It
is the conclusion that the RFP will not have to be re-bid.
It was the consensus of Council to move forward with a resolution authorizing the
Town Manager to move forward with a charrette and proceeding with MCA Urban Planning
for the Downtown Development Strategy and Implementation Plan.
5. Healthcare Task Force update
There was no update provided at this time, as Mayor Webb had to leave the meeting.
6. Valley View Avenue street trees
Bob Noe stated that it was Council's decision at a prior meeting to take no action to
remove the street trees on Valley View Avenue.
Tom Mason commented his department has inspected the damaged limbs and will
take appropriate action.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd expressed concern with trees hanging over homes on the east
side of Valley View Avenue.
Councilmember Zoldos stated he has visited Mr. Kidwell and Ms. Thompson and
concluded there are five questionable trees. The residents at that location would like to
have the trees removed.
There was further discussion on the maintenance of these trees and the desire to not
set a precedent by their removal.
7. Street Opening Connections in Exeter Hills
Tom Mason advised Council that a public hearing has been advertised for June 11th
to allow public comment on these Exeter street openings. Further, a survey on the
proposal has been sent to the Exeter neighborhoods and the 1995 Traffic Study is being
updated.
8. Construction of terminal building parking lot improvements
Doug McNeely stated the proposed improvements would provide more parking and a
better traffic flow at the Terminal Building. The Town's share is 20% of the contract
amount and is budgeted in the FY 2002 Capital Improvement Plan.
There was no Council discussion.
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9. Construction phase services for the terminal building parking lot
improvements.
Doug McNeely stated this an addendum to the Campbell & Paris Engineers
contract for construction phase's services. Additionally, the Town's share is 20% if the
contract amount.
There was no Council discussion.
10. Preview Items for June 11, 2002 Work Session:
a. SE-2001-10, Lot 4, Cardinal Industrial Park - Public Hearing
No discussion on this item.
b. Leesburg Economic Development Commission recommendations on
Downtown planters and benches
Karen Jones stated the recommendation is for changes to the existing
streetscape ordinance.
Councilmember Schmidt suggested giving downtown citizens advance notice
of these proposed changes.
c. Dedication of trees to Susan Farmer
There was no discussion on this item.
d. Utility Lines Division Maintenance Facility land acquisition.
There was no discussion on this item.
11. Other Business
Pat Horrocks addressed Council asking the Town to initiate the rezoning of eight
acres on Sycolin Road. She stated her property is zoned R-1 and is surrounded by higher
density zoning.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd asked town staff to research any discrepancies in the zoning
and stated it would take a majority vote of Council to initiate a rezoning.
12. Scheduling of Council meetings
Councilmember Schmidt questioned on how meetings of full Council are
scheduled. He added that scheduling should not take place without checking with all
Council members.
Mr. Noe stated the scheduling of the July 1st meeting was his responsibility.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd stated she selected the July 1st date as Council normally
schedules organizational meetings the first week in July.
Councjlmember Schmidt stated he was not officially notified of the July 1 meeting
and has a family vacation planned for that week.
13. Audit RFP
Councilmember Zoldos referenced a letter from Mitchell & Company with
reference the Town's awarding of the audit RFP.
Mr. Mitchell questioned the source material referenced by Bob Noe with reference
to the GFOA suggestion on changing auditors periodically.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for May 28. 2002
Mr. Noe stated he would provide the source material.
The meeting adjourned at 9: 15 p.m.
J: CLERK/minutes/tcws052802
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